WORKING AS A TEAM
- The need of independence is almost always the reason to set up your own business. It was also the case with me. This, however, does not mean I don’t have a contact with my environment. I was meditating much when our representation – the Polish Building Sector Employers Association – was founded. We joined it immediately. And it was no disappointment.
Being in a team is simply better for us, directors of building companies. You can not overestimate the contact possibilities with the colleagues from the whole country. Scattered around, it would be much more difficult for us to force through our demands, like one regarding the VAT. In CIROKO we used the authority of the association in interpreting particular regulations. We used very reliable training. We often used the opportunity to conduct a coherent policy in the sector. It is quite much, although we probably would like the power of our organisation to be even greater.
Simultaneously with the association’s development we saw CIROKO developing as well. My friends and I have had much experience in supervising large construction projects, also abroad. But supervising your own company – that was a huge challenge. We started in a 30-something sq m room with nothing but our heads full of ideas. Still, it turned out pretty much for the beginning. Today, after nearly 18 years, we are a medium-size company with a substantial background. We are not afraid of challenges. For some time we have been entering Norway. In a longer run we want to locate there some one third of our potential.
Also property developing is something new for us. Our chief investment in that area are apartment houses by the sea in Świnoujście. The land of nearly three hectares will house at first two buildings, but the number will grow by four in the future, in total 420 apartments. These buildings will occupy half of the plot. The other half will be developed with a hotel with full background. We are looking for a partner to this investment.
Our co-operation model is fully developed. Together with the president of Sabe Investments, Andrzej Skowroński, we decided to make a common (with a predominance of our partner) large investment in Międzyzdroje. We are sentimental about this place as we are about Świnoujście. We have just completed architecturally complicated apartment house in Międzyzdroje for 77 Trust Investments.
More ventures are mellowing. There will be enough not only for myself, but also for my sons – engineers who’s influence on the future of CIROKO is gradually increasing.
